Top Rated Construction Tips

Metal Roof Repair – Keep Your Roof in Good Shape!

The roof is basically the first and only line of defense that protects the comfort of your home from detrimental environmental elements. That’s why proper maintenance and timely repair are extremely important.

As you probably know, the main metal roofing materials are stainless steel, aluminum and copper. Metal roofing is usually installed in the form of sheets or panels (even if it looks like individual shingles). The roof can be left unfinished (this is possible only in case of galvanized steel or copper) or coated with a variety of metal roofing colors and finishes which increase its durability, also making it more attractive and stylish.

Metal Roofs are One of the Most Durable Solutions

Metal roofing is the most durable roofing system available nowadays. Unlike other traditional types of roofs (asphalt, wood or stone), it is immune to decay, mildew, insects and fire. However, nothing lasts forever. In time, a metal roof will become vulnerable to leakages, especially if it’s made from low quality materials and it lacks proper coating. Generally, the most durable materials (galvanized steel, aluminum and copper) need less maintenance. If, for example, an asphalt roof has to be repaired at least once in 2 years, a quality metal roof will require small repairs only after 10 years of use or even more.

Metal Roofing Materials

Every type of metal roofing material should be repaired in a different manner. That’s why, if you don’t have enough experience in the field of metal roofing repair, you should seek the help of a professional contractor.

For example, a rusty iron barn roof should be handled differently than galvanized stainless steel or unfinished copper. On the other hand, there are some common repair strategies that apply to all types of metal roofing.

As I already mentioned, leakages are the main enemies of metal roofs. They happen when the panels get loose as a result of prolonged exposure to rains, snow and strong winds. In the case of standing seam roofing, these tiny gaps can occur at the seams, resulting in leaks.

The most difficult thing is to identify the exact damage spot. This usually requires a rigorous inspection of the roof surface, especially at the seams and near the areas around vents and chimneys. Rusty tiles are more likely to be damaged or loosened.

Metal Roofing Repairs are Important

Before attempting any repairs, clean the roof thoroughly by using a pressure washer, a broom and a wire brush (for removing corrosion). As a matter of fact, if you want to prevent unpleasant leakages and increase the longevity of the roof, it’s recommended to perform cleaning and inspections every year – this way you can identify problematic spots in time.

If the damage is extensive, you may need to replace the metal sheet or panel. I strongly recommend hiring a specialist for doing this job – until he arrives, you should cover the spot with a waterproof tarp. If the damage is minimal, on the other hand, you can try performing the repair on your own.

After cleaning the area, fasten all the screws in place so that the panels/tiles are securely attached to each other and the underlying supporting structure. Apply patching cement at the seams (or the other deteriorated areas). When the cement has dried, apply a layer of metal roof coating – it will create an impenetrable membrane that will prevent further leakages.

Another important aspect of metal roofing repair is the fact that modern paints, finishes and coatings can easily replace serious repairs, especially if maintenance work is performed regularly.

You will have to replace the doors and windows in your home once in a few years to give optimum protection to your home. Remember that they can get worn out due to external environmental factors and there is no way you can prevent it. In most cases, better quality ones should last for at least a decade before it gets worn out completely. On the other hand, you should also consider changing social factors into consideration and opt for secure doors and windows. You have to understand that they are not there for ornamental purpose and they actually protect your home from intruders, strong winds and other factors.

Signs that you need to change them immediately

It becomes difficult to close them and open them freely.
When you are able to see some gap in the corners, it is time to replace your windows and doors. The physical damage to the doors and windows is sometimes too obvious.
You can also replace them when you are doing a complete renovation of your home.
Consider the security issues in your locality while replacing them.
Difficult to use

When the doors and windows do not open freely, you should immediately check the latches and see if they can be replaced to fix the problem. If that is not the case, you should consider replacing the entire unit as it will compromise the safety of your home. When you have problems only during some seasons, you can try scrapping some portions in the edges to get a better fit. It should work in some cases and you will be able to save money spent on replacement. Otherwise, you will have to get a new one for your home.

Gap in the corners

When you see gaps in the edges of doors and windows, you should not neglect the issue even if you are able to use them normally. These gaps will invite pests into the home and you will compromise the safety of the home.

Physically damaged due to weather

Most often, doors and windows get damaged due to constant exposure to sun and moisture. In this regard, you should not keep a worn out door and immediately replace them with new and strong doors.

Makeover

When you are giving a complete makeover to your home, you can begin with replacing the old doors and windows with new ones. In most cases, old ones will have single panel windows and you can use the double panel ones to get additional insulation from noise and wind. Be sure to hire the right general contractor in install any product you decide on.

Security issues

When you feel that your doors and windows are not strong enough to withstand intruders, you should never neglect the problem. You can easily choose the modern day strong windows and doors made of good quality materials. You can even consider attaching a grilled layer to the doors and windows to provide additional security to your home. It is possible to get double layered grilled doors in the market and you can install them in the entrance area of your home.

Hailstorm is one of the main reasons to cause damage to the roofs made of shingles. And the damage could be from a minor crack to major rupture. And the sad part is the homeowner could not do anything to stop this damage. Repair is the only preventing measures that they can do.

Now, when the choice comes between doing the self repairs and completing the repairs with the help of a certified specialist or roofing professionals, then it is always good to take the help of a contractor for both to check the intensity damage as well as to repair it. For states like Minnesota, it is important to find an insured roofing company in the Minneapolis area specializing in hail damage and roof repairs.

Various reasons as why is it good to use the help of a contractor

Post hailstorm inspection

Hailstorm not only causes a major and visible damage to the roofs, but also leads to some internal and invisible damages. The professional contractors are experts in finding out these damages. Thus, when their assistance is taken to check the post hail storm damage, the homeowner gets a detailed report of the damage. These are the following things that they check on the damage monitor

The missing granules of the hail have caused internal a black layer under the shingles.

The areas that has been freshly impacted by the hail.

They identify the shingles that has been impacted because of the hail, though not showing the sign of damage from outside.

They identify all the shingles that have been damaged majorly after the hail and that need immediate replacement.

After the inspection, the contractor informs the homeowner in detail about what the percentage of damage is, how it could be corrected, which part of the roof immediate repair action and which can wait for some time.

Offer damage repair service

There are two types of roofers present in the market, who provide roofing service. And they are categorized according to the service they provide.

Small roofing companies

These roofers that are known for inspecting the damage incorrectly, they do the detailed monitoring of shingles on the roof after hail and give a report to the homeowner about the intensity of damage. Most of these types of roofers provide minor damage repair service as well.

Professional roofers

There are only a few professional Minneapolis roofers that offer complete repair packages. They can be contacted for everything from damage inspection to re-roofing of the house. The roofers are best known for their quality work. However, most of these roofers do not carry out the work of minor repair. They are known for taking big projects.

Thus, hiring roofers after the hail has a number of benefits. And they should be hired not only for the benefits, but also for taking the quality service. Their service is a requirement for the houses that carries the roofing of shingles.

Maintenance service of roofing

Shingle roofing requires maintenance work, especially before the winters and rain. This ensures no major damage during the peak season. The inspection is best done by the professionals as they are expert in handling this work.

Professional Weather Protection Specialists

“Customer Satisfaction” has been the cornerstone of Crow Roofing since 1946. While keeping abreast of the latest industry innovations, we retain the proven methods established by our founder, Walter A. Crow. Providing the greatest value for the investment dollar is our key to ensuring customer satisfaction.

Our personnel are professionals in weather protection. Our roofers are union trained members of Roofers and Waterproofers Local 54. Each job is managed by a team comprised of a superintendent, foreman and project manager.

All completed roof systems are guaranteed and covered by a Crow Roofing warranty. Long term manufacturer warranties are also available.

We also provide PRMS: Professional Roof Maintenance and Roof Drainage Service, crucial for maximum life expectancy of your roof. Proper maintenance is a requirement for any long term manufacturer warranty.

We assist clients in budgeting as well as forecasting reroofing time frames and expenditures.

Considering the investment dollars that are required today for weatherproofing a building, we think the selection of a proper weatherproofing specialist to be of utmost importance. We have prepared some guidelines to help you in your planning and selection process.

Selecting A Contractor

Make sure you select a contractor who has the insurance coverage and endorsements you need, such as an “additional insured clause”. If your project is residential, always check if the contractor has residential insurance.

Select a contractor who has had years of experience (not just the biggest Yellow Pages ad). Selecting a contractor new to the market might work out just fine, but do some research and make sure they have the experience to perform the type of roofing you select.

Check to see if the contractor has coverage under Labor & Industries. If any employees are injured and are not covered, the building owner is responsible for covering the the injury. You can either call the Dept. of Labor & Industries 425-990-1402 or access their contractor license information online Dept of Labor & Industries

Check to see if the contractor is affiliated with the local, regional and national roofing associations. This not a necessity; but roofing associations are created to better the roofing industry. Being involved in an association shows a company is interested in maintaining a good standing among their peers.

Ask for references

Remember, workmanship and service should be the first criteria when deciding on a contractor. A new roofing system is a major cash outlay and you want to get the best value for your dollar. Prices should only be one consideration in selecting a roofing contractor.

Roof Maintenance and Repairs

Following are maintenance recommendations that should be done at least twice a year:

There are many people now looking to construct flat roofs of their homes. The flat roofs are a very popular sight in many of the commercial buildings. It is now becoming popular for residences as well. But, one of the major issues that flat roofing face is the proper drainage of the rain water and the melting of the snow. If there is no proper drainage in place on flat roofs, it can cause real problems like water pooling, roof leaks, and damages. The deterioration of the roof will happen and in due course of time, you would need to replace the roof. This will cost a lot of money. This is why you need to think of the best drainage solution for flat roofs.

Gutters

One option is to make sure of the gutters. They are nothing but open pipes that are placed along the edges of the roof. The rainwater that is collected on the roof will have to move towards the gutters so that water gets drained off from the roof. The gutters will help in carrying the rain water away from the roof. In order to fix the gutters, you do not have to make any modifications to the flat roof. All you need is to give a slight slope of a few millimeters to the flat roof so that the water that falls on the roof moves towards the gutter at once. It is very important to clear the debris and fallen leaves from the gutters from time to time in order to ensure that the gutters function properly.

Internal drains

If you are designing a new flat roof, then you should make sure that it revolves around the place where the internal drains are. A section of the flat roof must be made to slope towards the internal drains that are located at different positions on the roof. There will be downspouts that run along the building. Water collected on the roof will be let through these internal drains. If the roof has already been constructed, then internal drains can be installed at certain points where there is water logging on the roof. It is important to take care of the internal drains from time to time and ensure that it is not closed. The use of strainers on top of the internal drains on the roof will help in preventing the leaves and other debris from entering the pipes and clogging it. These drains are a very good option for larger flat roof areas where water gets collected at the center of the roof.

Scuppers

The most economical type of flat roof drainage system is the scuppers. They are located at the low points on the roof. The rain water will drain through the super openings that are located at the parapet’s base and they will be connected to downspouts or gutters. The water from the roof will be taken away from the building and therefore the walls of the building will be kept dry. The foundation of the building will also be not affected by too much exposure to rain water.

Many people in Charlotte, NC are not worried about backyard drainage until they have a problem. Water naturally follows the route of least resistance to reduce elevations and difficulties happen whenever authentic airways created by the contractor become clogged or were insufficient from the beginning. Without suitable slopes and drains about a home to direct or divert water overflow will permit the water to identify a route straight to regions where you’d least desire it including fundamentals, below pavement, in a basement etc. Flooding basements and damaged fundamentals are wise wake-up calls to the issue yet addressing difficulties beforehand will protect you 1000s of dollars, and headaches, down the road.

Types of Drainage Solutions

“Surface and subsurface drains are the two kinds of drainage solutions, each providing vital protection for buildings and lawns,” said Scott from Authentic Restoration in Charlotte, North Carolina. Surface drainage refers to the natural pathway taken by the water following rainfall or irrigation and is attained through gutters, downspouts, surface grates, exposed French drains and by shaping and grading a garden to supply maximum surface water treatment with minimum soil erosion. Subsurface drainage refers to pipes and drains placed in the garden that eliminate any extra water that has gravitated belowground, either through holes in the soil or from soil saturation. Water travels through soil by capillary action, that is much like a paper towel – whenever 1 side gets wet, moisture will slowly travel to the dry side until the entire substance is saturated. Once the soil is saturated, subsurface French drains are essential to take out extra water. In doing so, subsurface drainage keeps plants healthy, helps soil to warm earlier in the spring and leaves less water to freeze in the wintertime, minimizing frost heaving damage to a home or building.

Problems Connected with Incorrect Drainage

Improper drainage can cause pools of collected water in a garden and/or around a home or building, each of that can pose a threat. When gathered close to a foundation, standing water will potentially results in foundation splits, foundation movement, and overloaded basements. When gathered about your backyard, pooling water gives mosquitoes a reproduction ground and will leave a turf vulnerable to disease.

The wet side has expanded, and remains thus, while the other side contracts as it dries, and this action pulls the walls of the structure away from 1 another. Repetition of that procedure will eventually produce splits in the fundamentals, walls and/or ceilings. Foundation treatments are not generally covered by homeowners insurance plans and will expense as $20,000 to $30,000 or more to fix, not including cosmetic fixes to drywall, door jams, bricks, overloaded carpets, flooring, etc. Anyone who has experienced a loaded basement or splits due to heaving will confirm a costly fix! In addition, the drainage issues that caused the issue will nevertheless must be resolved.

Basement Drainage

Basements: The same matter connected with fundamentals pertains to a basement, with all the added problem of letting water into a home through the splits. In addition to damaging carpets, flooring, drywall and furniture, the water increases a basements humidity creating the perfect environment for the development of germs and mold. Mold enters a home as tiny spores, that need moisture to grow and increase. They will grow about virtually any surface plus they digest and destroy a home as they are doing. When disturbed, mold spores are released into the air and is breathed in by we and your family, aggravating allergies and asthma. A few of molds produce mycotoxins that can cause nausea, fatigue, headaches and lung and eye aggravation whenever an individual is exposed to high degrees. Additionally, mites and spiders will proliferate in a moldy basement as mites feed on mold spores and spiders feed on most mites.

Waterproofing a basement will enable protect a home and is a superb insurance policy, yet very first line of defense against a wet basement is improving the drainage in the garden and all areas surrounding the home or building. According to most engineers and home inspectors, 85 to 95% of wet basements and interiors of buildings is created dry by improving outdoor drainage around home or building.

Winter season brings a lot of problems with excessive snowfall and this can do a lot of damage to the roof. However, if you take proper care of your roof during the fall season, you can easily avoid many issues during the winter season. You will be able to prevent a lot of problems with timely maintenance. In most cases, you can easily maintain the roof on your own and all you need to do is to spend some time and put in some efforts to get the job done. However, Bill Stevens from Brava Roof Tile states “if it is a question about getting your roof repaired, you should avoid doing it yourself and always hire professional help.”

There are many important factors that need to be considered while maintaining your roof.

Take care of the trees in your surroundings.

Make sure that your gutters are clear from any blockage.

Do not forget the chimney repair.

Maintenance tips during fall season.

The benefits of choosing professionals for roof repair.

Tree maintenance

You will be surprised to know that trees can do a lot of damage to your roof in many cases. If you have large trees over your house, the branches can fall on the roof and damage them severely. It can also be a big threat to your family when you have a huge tree next to your home. In that case, all you need to do is to take timely action and cut down the branches that are extending on your roof. In this way, you can keep your roof safe from any damage.

Clean the drains

You should always ensure that you keep the gutters clear during the rainy season. If you have dry leaves and other debris blocking the drains, they will allow the water to stagnate on the roof and it can lead to leakages. You can easily get this cleared before the rainy season and this will help you to keep your roof safe during the winter season. Cleaning your roof and all elements on it is very important.

Chimney repair

This is very important, especially during the fall season. When you keep it clean and make timely repair, you will not face any issues during the winter season. In this case, preventing the problem is very important as getting it repaired can cost you a lot of money.

Maintenance tips

When you take good care of your roof during the fall season, you will have very few problems during winter. It is also very easy to maintain the roof during the fall season and all you need to do is to spend some time and see if there is anything that is causing a leakage in the roof. Clear the drains and ensure that there are no cracks that can open up in future. These simple tips should help you to have a problem free roof in winter.

Professional roofers

Finally, you should always insist on getting the repairs done by professionals. They will know the best materials to be used for repairs and this will ensure that the job is done efficiently. In this way, you will not have any problems for a long time.